MNDAA inspects snack stalls in its controlled areas, bans sale of 10 types of unhygienic Chinese snacks

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) has announced a ban on the sale of 10 types of Chinese snacks found to be unhealthy in snack stalls around schools in areas under its control. This was announced by the MNDAA's Health and Education departments on September 1st. According to the MNDAA's statement, ground inspections by its Health Department revealed that 10 types of snacks, which children are daily purchasing and consuming at snack stalls near schools, contain significant health risks. It was found that these snacks contain Sodium Cyclamate (a chemical sweetener) which can burden children's livers and kidneys and potentially cause cancer, TBHQ (a preservative) that can affect the nervous system, Amaranth Red (a red dye) that can hinder intellectual development, phosphate compounds that can affect bone and joint development, and excessive levels of sodium (salt) beyond daily recommended intake. Therefore, the Education and Health departments have jointly issued a prohibition order, urging strict adherence to these regulations to protect the future health of students. In addition to these 10 types of snacks, any food items that lack FDA approval or are past their expiration date are completely banned from sale at snack stalls within school premises. A one-month grace period will be given from the date of this order, during which time vendors are notified to quickly clear their existing stock and refrain from placing any new orders or imports. Furthermore, after the one-month grace period expires, a joint team led by the Education and Health departments will conduct surprise checks on school snack stalls. If any vendors are found to be in violation of this prohibition and continue to sell these hazardous snacks, they will be severely punished according to regulations. The MNDAA stated that relevant education and health officials will cooperate to ensure that all vendors at school snack stalls comply with these directives without exception.